Video Game Database Chaos;Child

[OmegaMeistro]

The current visual novel I'm playing. It's a cool mystery thriller that subverts mystery tropes, full of emotional plotlines and suspenseful twists and turns, which is typical of a SciADV ("Science Adventure") series game ("Steins;Gate" and "Robotic;Notes" are part of the same franchise).

Currently on Hana route. Just finished the Arimura Hanae route recently (Dark Sky End) and dang, that was depressing af... Chaos;Child doesn't hold back.

 

[OmegaMeistro]

In 2025, misinformation in mainstream media has become more ubiquitous than ever. It's easy to fall into the trappings of becoming a "wrong-sider" where you take a news article at face value instead of doing any research.

That's the primary principle that leads the protagonist of Chaos;Child, Takuru Miyashiro, and this game was released back in 2014 too, when news outlets' relationship with the public hasn't been filled with as much distrust as today.

I just finished this wonderful visual novel, and while it's not nearly as well-written as other SciADV entries (like Steins;Gate, for example), it's been a solid story that subverts the mystery genre, flipping it entirely on its head. The reason it's able to utilize this subversion is largely because of its supernatural elements, but even stripping that away, the way it tackles the protagonist's supposed knowledge, being a "right-sider," is cleverly done.

Unlike its predecessor, "Chaos;Head", Chaos;Child's storyline is less over-the-top and more mundane due to its bigger focus on the mystery genre, but that also means we get less fun or action-packed scenes, something I enjoyed more from Chaos;Head. Still, it's not a bad move on Chaos;Child's part, just more suitable for a different crowd.

I recommend a read for fans of mystery novels, but also just the general audience today who has been exposed to our problematic "journalism" and social media misinformation.